Device for closing a bag under vacuum

ABSTRACT

A bag closing device including a nozzle which is extendable into the open top of a bag to be closed, vacuum means for drawing a holding vacuum on the bag top until a clamping mechanism comes into place to seal the bag top against the nozzle following which vacuum is drawn on the bag interior, including mechanism for advancing a sealing device into place for sealing the bag and cutting off the top after which the sealing device retracts, all remaining vacuum is cut off, the clamping mechanism withdrawn, and air blown against the cut off bag top to remove it from the nozzle, all of such functions being performed automatically and in sequence.

[ 1 Mar. 12, 1974 3,193,982 7/1965 Herzmark et a1. 3,700,387 10/1972 Moore et 1 DEVICE FOR CLOSING A BAG UNDER VACUUM Inventors: Benjamin M. Anderson,

[75] Aurora, 111.;

Wmiam Harrison Mum, Cedar Przmary ExammerTrav1s S. McGehee Falls; Gerhard W. Tempel, Winona, both of Minn.

[57] ABSTRACT A bag closing device including a nozzle which is ex- [73] Assignee: Armour and Company, Chicago, 111.

Filed:

[22] June 22 1972 tendable into the open top of a bag to be closed, vacuum means for drawing a holding vacuum on the bag Appl. No.: 265,239 top until a clamping mechanism comes into place to seal the bag top against the nozzle following which vacuum is drawn on the bag interior, including mechanism for advancing a sealing device into place for seal- 53/ 112 B a 3 ing the bag and cutting off the top after which the sealing device retracts, all remaining vacuum is cut [51] Int. [58] Field of Search.........................

off, the clamping mechanism withdrawn, and air References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS blown against the cut off bag top to remove it from the nozzle, all of such functions being performed automatically and in sequence.

53/112 B Moore 53/112 B X Jahnke 53/112 B 15 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 3,094,825 Bracey et 2,863,267 3,401 ,499 9/ 1 968 PATENIEMAR 12 1914 SHEEI 1 OF 3 Fig. 1

PATENIEBnmzwm 3796020 sum 2 0r 3 l 27 ll H/GH PRESSURE AIR A/R PRESS. flR Q i 5 PM HOLDING VACUUM *H M. -V\A H+ A/R PRES Fig 2 PATENTEBmrz m4 3796320 A ll? PRESSURE A/R PRESSURE ii CL /PPER Fig 4 DEVICE FOR CLOSING A BAG UNDER VACUUM BACKGROUND In the packaging of products such as hams and other meat products, it is customary to place the product in a bag made of a flexible film material and then to close the open end of the bag by clipping it. It is desirable also to draw a vacuum on the bag so as to bring the film into tight contact with the product and to remove the air from within the bag. This provides a neat package, and the removal of air tends to minimize the effects of oxidation on the product.

The apparatus for drawing a vacuum with a bag has included a nozzle about which the open mouth of the bag is pressed, the nozzle being then connected to a source of vacuum, and various types of mechanisms have been provided for clipping the bag, some of these being sold under the trade names D-Mar, Tipper Tie and others. In some prior devices vacuum nozzles have been provided over which the open end of the bags can be placed, a vacuum drawn, and the bags and nozzles moved to the clipping mechanism. Such devices have still required a great amount of manual attention and hand labor.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bag closing device which will apply a vacuum effectively in the bag closing operation and which is automatic in its operation requiring a minimum of labor and attention on the part of an operator. It is a further object to provide a device of this character which is compact, simple in its construction, effective for the purposes intended and trouble free. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as the specification proceeds.

DRAWINGS One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the apparatus showing a bag being placed in position to be closed;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the system for controlling the functioning of the apparatus with particular reference to the fluid operated mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the system for controlling the functioning of the machine with particular reference to the electrical controls; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the fluid control circuit for the clipper mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As illustrated, the improved device includes a vertical back frame structure and a forwardly extending frame arm 11 from which the nozzle 12 depends. At a lower level there is a platform 13 supported by leg members 14 which are made secure with the back frame structure 10. At the back of frame 10 is a box 15 which houses some of the valves and other equipment used in the operation of the device.

The nozzle 12, which could be called the focal center of the device, has a cylindrical exterior wall 16 in which 2 is contained an inner pipe 17, the interior of pipe 17 providing an interior air passage. An outer air passage is provided between the exterior of pipe 17 and the wall 16.

The inner air passage is connected through line 19 with a relatively strong vacuum source and the outer passage is connected through line 20 with a relatively light vacuum source which we may call the holding vacuum.

Referring to the lower end of the nozzle 12, the outer wall 16 is constructed at its lower end in a frustoconical configuration to form a skirt portion 21 which provides a seat for the collar of the clamping mechanism later to be described. The seat portion 21 has perforations 22 in its wall which perforations lead to the outer vacuum passageway within the nozzle. This passageway is closed at the bottom of the nozzle except for the perfo' rations 22. The bottom of the pipe 17 is open.

Extending about the nozzle 12 is the collar 23 which is arranged to move vertically of the nozzle. The lower part 24 of the interior opening through collar 23 is formed in frustoconical shape to fit the seat 21 so that when the collar is moved downwardly the collar portion 24 engages the surface of the seat 21.

A lever 25 has its rearward end pivotally connected at 26 with the frame and has its bifurcated forward end pivotally connected with the collar 23. A cylinder 27 has its one end pivotally connected to bracket 28 attached to frame arm 11, and has its piston 29 pivotally connected with a central portion of lever 25. Extension of piston 29 within cylinder 27 moves the collar 23 downwardly and retraction of the piston within the cylinder moves collar 23 upwardly.

At the front of the device is an apron 30 secured to the frame and carrying a shelf 31 which may be vertically adjusted'As shown in FIG. 1, the operator may place the filled bag to be closed on shelf 31 so that the nozzle 12 extends downwardly into the open top of the bag.

The sealing mechanism E is carried on a carriage 42 which is slidably mounted on a platform 13. As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of spaced bars 40 have their ends secured in the mounting blocks 41 which in turn are secured to platform 13. Slidably carried on bars 40 is the carriage 42 on which is mounted the mechanism E for clipping the bags and, in the present embodiment, for cutting off the top of the bags above the clips. This mechanism is driven by an air cylinder 44 carried on the carriage 42. Flexible air lines 45 and 46 connect the cylinder 44 with a source of air pressure.

The mechanism E will not be described in detail herein. Such mechanisms are known to the art. These mechanisms are available commercially. The particular unit illustrated in the drawing is one which is being offered for sale by the D-Mar Company, Incorporated, of Los Angeles, California. This mechanism is effective to bind with a metal clip the gathered neck of a vacuumized bag, which for practical purposes may be regarded as a sealing of the bag. In the present embodiment the mechanism E also serves to cut ofi the neck of the bag below the nozzle and above the seal, the cut off part of the mechanism being operable after the seal has been effected.

An air cylinder 50 is mounted on the platform 13 and the piston of this cylinder is attached to carriage 42 so that when the piston is extended this moves the carriage 42 and the mechanism E carried thereon forwardly to the position where the top portion of the bag enters the mouth 47 of the mechanism E for clipping and cutting the bag top. While the top portion or neck of the bag is contained in mouth 47, and upon operation of cylinder 44, the arm 48 of this mechanism is driven about its pivot and against the neck of the bag where it clips the bag, and then proceeds to cut the neck of the bag just above the point at which it has been clipped. Upon completion of the clipping and cutting function, the arm 48 moves back to its original position to await the next actuation. A magazine 49 is provided in which clips are stacked and from which a steel clip is supplied each time the clipper is operated.

OPERATION The operation of the device will now be described in connection with the physical location of the various control valves as shown in FIG. 1 and the interconnection of these valves through air lines as shown in FIG. 2.

Air valve C is located in the manifold provided by arm 1 1 and is operated by the manual switch C-l (FIG. 1).

The operator places a bag 60 filled with a ham 61 or other such product, on the shelf 31, so that the nozzle 12 extends into the top opening of the bag, and may fold the top of the bag about nozzle 12. Then he strikes I the switch C-l thereby activating valve C which opens the operating valve B (located in the control box 15).

Activation of valve B performs the following functions:

a. shifts valve K to precondition this valve, b. shifts valve J (located in box 15) to precondition c. shifts valve A (physically located in the top of frame arm 11) to a position in which air pressure is relieved on both sides of the piston in cylinder 27,

d. activates valve N (Physically located in box 15) to connect the holding vacuum.

The holding vacuum serves to draw air from the space between the film of bag 60 and the skirt 21 through the outer air passageway in nozzle 12 and the line 20 to the vacuum source. As before stated, the holding vacuum is a relatively light vacuum, which may be of the order of from 10 to 28 inches of mercury, but is sufficient to draw the film of the bag against the skirt 21 and hold it there.

With the piston of cylinder 27 floating freely in the cylinder, pressure being relieved on both sides of the piston, the collar 23 may descend of its own weight along nozzle 12, or if the operator should like it to descend more rapidly (the fluid has to move from one end of the cylinder and into the other end of the cylinder), the operator may push this collar down by hand until its part 24 comes against the film about skirt 21 and presses the film against the skirt member.

When the collar 23 moves down against skirt 21 the lever 25 moves downwardly about its pivot 26 and trips the toggle switch of valve D. Actuation of valve D performs the following functions:

a. Shifts valve A to connect air from the main pressure line 19 against the piston of cylinder 27 to extend the piston and thus press lever 25 and collar 23 downwardly to lock the collar against skirt 21 with the film of the bag top therebetween. Pressure from this high pressure line is relatively high, of the order of from to pounds per square inch gauge. Application of this pressure seals the bag top to the nozzle and locks it in place on the nozzle.

b. Shifts valve F (physically located on the front side of the frame arm 11) to connect the space on the interior of the bag through pipe 17 with the main vacuum thus to evacuate the air from bag 60 and draw the film tightly to the product. The main vacuum is a relatively strong vacuum which may be of the order of from 10 to 28 inches of mercury. With the evacuation of air within the bag the portion of the bag between the product and the nozzle comes together in what may be called a neck portion.

c. Shifts valve N to shut off the holding vacuum, this holding function by means of a vacuum being no longer needed.

At this point we draw attention to FIG. 3 which shows an electrical circuit to which an electrical potential is applied between terminals 65 and 66. In this circuit is a switch VS-l (located in box 15) of a type which is sensitive to air pressure, which is normally open and blocking the flow of current, but which is designed automatically to close when the vacuum in the high vacuum line, and consequently in bag 60, reaches a predetermined value, such as, for example, from 10 to 28 inches of mercury. When said switch VS-l operates, this starts the timing cycle on the timer TR-l and operates the control relay CR-l (located in box 15) which in turn connects into the electrical circuit the solenoid 67 of the air valve G. Operation of solenoid 67 actuates the air valve G which applies air pressure behind the piston of cylinder 50 which starts carriage 42 to move forwardly, carrying mechanism E thereon.

When carriage 42 completes its forward stroke and reaches a predetermined position in which the mouth 47 of the mechanism E has received the neck of the bag therein, it strikes a toggle which operates air valve I-I (located on the front portion of the platform 13) (See FIG. 4) which is connected by air line with the clipper mechanism E. This brings the cylinder 44 into operation and the arm of the clipper moves to engage and clip the neck of the bag while the main vacuum is being applied to the interior of the bag which is followed by cutting off the neck of the bag above the point at which this clipping takes place.

When the timer TR-1 completes its time (which may be of the order of from 1 to l is seconds) this operates to deactivate the relay CR-l, thus deactivating solenoid 67 which allows air valve G to move to apply air pressure to the rod end of cylinder 50, relieving the pressure on the other end of the cylinder, to thereby retract carriage 42 and the mechanism E thereon.

While moving rearwardly the carriage 42, which when it reaches a predetermined position strikes the toggle of air valve N (located on the platform 13) and operates to perform the following functions:

a. Shifts valve B which:

i. shifts valve A to put air pressure on the rod end of cylinder 27 to retract the bag holding device including raising collar 23 and lever 25,

ii. shifts valve F to turn off the main vacuum.

b. Shifts valve K to shut off the holding vacuum line,

and

cycle c. Shifts valve J to put air pressure on the holding vacuum line to blow air through the outer air passage in nozzle 12 and through perforations 22 in the wall of skirt 21 to blow off from the nozzle the extreme top of the bag which was cut off from the remainder of the bag by mechanism E.

This completes the cycle of the device, and the operator needs only to remove the vacuumized sealed bag from the device, bring another bag to be closed into position, and again press the switch (3-1 to start another cycle.

It will be observed that once the operator has started the device in operation it will proceed automatically to hold the bag, vacuumize it, clip it, cut off the top, remove the top and reset itself for another cycle of operation, all without any attention by the operator.

While I have illustrated and described in detail only one embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be constructed and many variations and changes are possible, all within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A bag closing device comprising a stationary nozzle, means for holding the open end of the bag about said nozzle, a carriage, sealing mechanism mounted on said carriage, means for drawing air from said bag and through said nozzle to vacuumize said bag, and means sensitive to a predetermined degree of vacuum so produced for advancing said carriage into position for sealing said bag below said nozzle.

2. In a bag closing device, a nozzle extendable into the open end of a bag to be closed, and clamping means for clamping the top of said bag about said nozzle, said clamping means including a seat on said nozzle and a collar movable on said nozzle against said seat with the top of said bag therebetween, saidclamping means including also a fluid cylinder and being operable to press said collar against said seat when fluid pressure is applied to said cylinder, said device including means for applying fluid pressure to said cylinder when said collar is moved into position against said seat.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cylinder has equal pressure on each side of its piston and fluid is permitted to flow in either direction in and out of the cylinder during movement of said collar toward said seat.

4. A device for closing bags comprising a nozzle extendable into the open end of a bag to be closed, a vacuum source, means for connecting said source with a space between the top portion of said bag and the exterior of said nozzle to thereby hold said top portion against said nozzle, clamping mechanism for clamping said bag top tightly against said nozzle, said mechanism including a collar movable along said nozzle and initially in raised position, means for lowering said collar into position for pressing said top against said nozzle, actuating means operable when said collar is moved to said pressing position for actuating said mechanism to clamp said top against said nozzle, means operable when said collar has moved to pressing position for withdrawing air from the interior of said bag through said nozzle to vacuumize said bag, a carriage, bag sealing mechanism carried by said carriage, means for advancing said carriage to bring said sealing mechanism into position for sealing said bag, means sensitive to the strength of the vacuum within said bag for actuating said carriage advancing means when said vacuum has reached a predetermined strength, means for actuating said sealing mechanism when said carriage has reached said sealing position, means for retracting said carriage a predetermined time after said carriage advancing means has been actuated, and means operable when said carriage has retracted to a predetermined position for deactivating said means for withdrawing air and for moving said collar to said raised position.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for withdrawing air from the interior of said bag is capable of drawing a vacuum substantially stronger than the vacuum of said source and wherein said means for connecting said vacuum source includes perforations in the walls of said nozzle.

6. in a bag closing device, a nozzle extendable into the open end of a bag to be closed, clamping means for clamping the top of said bag about said nozzle, said clamping means including a seat on said nozzle and a collar movable on said nozzle against said seat with the top. of said bag therebetween, means for withdrawing air from within said bag through said nozzle to bring the interior of said bag under vacuum, a frame, a lever pivotally secured at one end to said frame and being connected with said collar at its other end, and a fluid cylinder having its piston connected with said lever whereby application of fluid pressure to said cylinder operates to press said collar against said seat on said nozzle with the top of said bag therebetween.

7. In a bag closing device, a nozzle extendable into the open end of a bag to be closed, said nozzle including an inner pipe providing an interior passage communicating at its lower end with the interior of said container and including also an outer wall, a closure joining the bottom end of said outer wall to said pipe, said pipe, said outer wall and said closure forming an outer passage which is closed at its bottom end, said outer wall having perforations therein, the upper portions of the open end of said bag to be sealed extending adjacent the outer surface of said outer wall and over said perforations, said perforations providing communication between said outer passage and a space between said outer wall and said upper portions of the bag, means for withdrawing air from said passageway whereby said upper portions are held tightly to said outer surface and means for withdrawing air from said pipe whereby to evacuate the interior of said bag.

8. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 7 in which said last-mentioned withdrawal means is substantially stronger and operable to create a higher vacuum than is said first-mentioned withdrawal means.

9. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 7 including clamping means for clamping said upper portions of the bag to said outer wall, said clamping means including a collar, a seat on said outer wall, said collar being adaptedto engage said seat with said upper portions of the bag therebetween.

10. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 9 wherein a lower portion of said outer wall is outwardly flared to provide said seat and wherein said perforations are contained in said outwardly flared portion of said outer wall.

11. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 1 including means for retracting said carriage after said bag has been sealed,and a time delay device actuated by said advancing means and operable after a predeter- 14. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 13 in which said last-mentioned means is operable also to deactivate said first-mentioned withdrawal means.

15. A device as set forth in claim 11 including means for cutting the top portion of the bag above the point where it is sealed while said carriage is in advanced position, and switch means sensative to the retraction of said carriage to a predetermined position for blowing the cutoff portion of the bag from the device.

l F t i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF. CORRECTION Patent No'. 3,796,020 Dated March 12, 1974 Benjamin M. Anderson et a1. Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears .in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [75] "William Harrison Mullan, Cedar Falls; Gerhard W. Tempel Winona, both of Minn." should read William Harrison Mullan, Cedar Falls, Iowa, Gerhard W.

Tempel, Winona, Minn.

Signed endysealed this 24th day of September 1974.

SEAL) Attest:

MeCOY M. GIBSON R, Attesting Officer 0; MARSHALL DANN Comissioner of Patents US COMM-DC 60376-P69 0.5 GOVlRNM-ENY PRINTING OFFICE: 5 9' 93 o FORM PO-JOS?(10-159) 

1. A bag closing device comprising a stationary nozzle, means for holding the open end of the bag about said nozzle, a carriage, sealing mechanism mounted on said carriage, means for drawing air from said bag and through said nozzle to vacuumize said bag, and means sensitive to a predetermined degree of vacuum so produced for advancing said carriage into position for sealing said bag below said nozzle.
 2. In a bag closing device, a nozzle extendable into the open end of a bag to be closed, and clamping means for clamping the top of Said bag about said nozzle, said clamping means including a seat on said nozzle and a collar movable on said nozzle against said seat with the top of said bag therebetween, said clamping means including also a fluid cylinder and being operable to press said collar against said seat when fluid pressure is applied to said cylinder, said device including means for applying fluid pressure to said cylinder when said collar is moved into position against said seat.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said cylinder has equal pressure on each side of its piston and fluid is permitted to flow in either direction in and out of the cylinder during movement of said collar toward said seat.
 4. A device for closing bags comprising a nozzle extendable into the open end of a bag to be closed, a vacuum source, means for connecting said source with a space between the top portion of said bag and the exterior of said nozzle to thereby hold said top portion against said nozzle, clamping mechanism for clamping said bag top tightly against said nozzle, said mechanism including a collar movable along said nozzle and initially in raised position, means for lowering said collar into position for pressing said top against said nozzle, actuating means operable when said collar is moved to said pressing position for actuating said mechanism to clamp said top against said nozzle, means operable when said collar has moved to pressing position for withdrawing air from the interior of said bag through said nozzle to vacuumize said bag, a carriage, bag sealing mechanism carried by said carriage, means for advancing said carriage to bring said sealing mechanism into position for sealing said bag, means sensitive to the strength of the vacuum within said bag for actuating said carriage advancing means when said vacuum has reached a predetermined strength, means for actuating said sealing mechanism when said carriage has reached said sealing position, means for retracting said carriage a predetermined time after said carriage advancing means has been actuated, and means operable when said carriage has retracted to a predetermined position for deactivating said means for withdrawing air and for moving said collar to said raised position.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said means for withdrawing air from the interior of said bag is capable of drawing a vacuum substantially stronger than the vacuum of said source and wherein said means for connecting said vacuum source includes perforations in the walls of said nozzle.
 6. In a bag closing device, a nozzle extendable into the open end of a bag to be closed, clamping means for clamping the top of said bag about said nozzle, said clamping means including a seat on said nozzle and a collar movable on said nozzle against said seat with the top of said bag therebetween, means for withdrawing air from within said bag through said nozzle to bring the interior of said bag under vacuum, a frame, a lever pivotally secured at one end to said frame and being connected with said collar at its other end, and a fluid cylinder having its piston connected with said lever whereby application of fluid pressure to said cylinder operates to press said collar against said seat on said nozzle with the top of said bag therebetween.
 7. In a bag closing device, a nozzle extendable into the open end of a bag to be closed, said nozzle including an inner pipe providing an interior passage communicating at its lower end with the interior of said container and including also an outer wall, a closure joining the bottom end of said outer wall to said pipe, said pipe, said outer wall and said closure forming an outer passage which is closed at its bottom end, said outer wall having perforations therein, the upper portions of the open end of said bag to be sealed extending adjacent the outer surface of said outer wall and over said perforations, said perforations providing communication between said outer passage and a space between said outer wall and said upper portions of the bag, means for withdrawing air from said passageway whereby said upper portions are held tightly to said outer surface and means for withdrawing air from said pipe whereby to evacuate the interior of said bag.
 8. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 7 in which said last-mentioned withdrawal means is substantially stronger and operable to create a higher vacuum than is said first-mentioned withdrawal means.
 9. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 7 including clamping means for clamping said upper portions of the bag to said outer wall, said clamping means including a collar, a seat on said outer wall, said collar being adapted to engage said seat with said upper portions of the bag therebetween.
 10. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 9 wherein a lower portion of said outer wall is outwardly flared to provide said seat and wherein said perforations are contained in said outwardly flared portion of said outer wall.
 11. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 1 including means for retracting said carriage after said bag has been sealed, and a time delay device actuated by said advancing means and operable after a predetermined time delay to actuate said carriage retracting means.
 12. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 2 including a source of vacuum and including means operable when said collar is moved into position against said seat for connecting said source with the interior of the bag through said nozzle.
 13. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 9 which includes means for actuating said first-mentioned withdrawal means when said collar is moved into position against said seat.
 14. A bag closing device as set forth in claim 13 in which said last-mentioned means is operable also to deactivate said first-mentioned withdrawal means.
 15. A device as set forth in claim 11 including means for cutting the top portion of the bag above the point where it is sealed while said carriage is in advanced position, and switch means sensative to the retraction of said carriage to a predetermined position for blowing the cutoff portion of the bag from the device. 